The Missing Case Of Amelia Earhart

The day is July 2, 1937, and the world’s first woman to fly across the Pacific solo, Amelia Earhart, goes missing as she attempts to circumnavigate the globe at the equator. Earhart was preparing to land for refueling and for more supplies at the Howland Islands, where the Coast Guard along with the ship Itasca were deployed to aid her in landing. Earhart radioed the ship to inform them that she was low on fuel; but the Itasca could not pinpoint her location nor could she pinpoint theirs, despite the Itasca pumping miles of black smoke into the air. She radioed “one-half hour fuel and no landfall” and later tried to give information on her position.1Soon after, contact was lost, and Earhart presumably tried to land the Lockheed on the water.2After this, no news of Earhart emerged, and she was officially declared missing, along with her copilot, Fred Noonan. What happened to Amelia Earhart?

Theories suggest that Earhart crash landed near Nikumaroro, an island near her original destination, Howland Island. It is said that Itasca, the nearby ship sent out by the Coast Guard, was able to pick up her transmissions, which is why it is believed that she was near the Howland Islands. In 1940, the colonial administrator of Howland Islands, Gerald Gallagher, discovered thirteen bones in what seemed to be the remnants of a campfire. The bones were shipped to Fiji to be examined by Physician D.W. Hoodless, who examined the bones and determined that they belonged to a stocky, short man of European descent, which would seem to rule out Earhart and Noonan. After deciding this conclusion, Hoodless discarded the bones, completely eliminating the chance for further examination. However, the International Group for Historical Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) took Hoodless’s original measurements and found that the bones could have possibly belonged to a tall woman of European descent.3Earhart was known to be around 5’7 to 5’8. To entertain the bone evidence, TIGHAR Director Ric Gillespie states that the lack of bones could be caused by the island’s coconut crab population. Coconut crabs are known to grow up to three feet long, and can break open coconuts with their claws. The crabs could have possibly carried the remains of bone and flesh to their burrows for feeding.

Along with these bones, a shoe sole was found with writing on it, stating, “Cats Paw Rubber Company USA.” The sole was from the same type of shoe that Earhart was pictured wearing in Indonesia shortly before her disappearance. However, the sole belonged to a size-nine shoe, which would have been too big for Earhart’s feet, disproving the possibility of it being hers. But along with the sole, a sextant, an instrument used to find latitude and longitude, was discovered with the bones and campfire.4 This instrument could have belonged to Earhart, as it was very common for pilots to navigate through longitude and latitude using a sextant. It made sense that Earhart and Noonan could have used the instrument to determine their location after landing. To further this theory, across the island are findings of campfires, along with remains of fish, clams, birds, and turtles. Based on the way the clams were opened and the way the fish were eaten without their heads, it is more plausibly the activity of non-pacific islanders.

A less likely theory suggests that Earhart and Noonan were given orders that if they could not find the Howland Islands, to crash land near the Marshall Islands, which at the time were controlled by Japanese forces. The purpose of this could be so that the US army could move towards the area, claiming that they were “searching for Earhart.” Another claim is that Earhart and Noonan were captured by the Japanese Army and eventually killed.5 Evidence exists that shows that at the time, locals claimed seeing the plane crash on the island. Also, in 1944, an Army Sergeant named Thomas E. Devine claimed that he came across a group of US Marines guarding a hanger containing Earhart’s Electra, on the formerly settled Japanese Island Saipan.

Believed photo of Earhart and Noonan captured by Japanese Forces. Earhart is sitting on the dock, while Noonan is standing to the left | Image Courtesy of National Archives

Furthermore, a photo found in the national archives suggests that the photo contains Earhart and Noonan after landing on the Marshall Islands. However, the photo was subsequently found in a Japanese textbook published in 1935.6 Furthermore, experts claim that at the time, Earhart would not have had enough fuel to make it to the Marshall Islands, considering that in her last radio transmission, she claimed to have only seventy-four gallons remaining.

In conclusion, despite theories ranging from survival on islands to alien interference, most enthusiasts speculate Earhart crashed into the ocean, burned up in the crash, and sank to the bottom of the ocean. However, the world will never know what happened to Amelia Earhart unless the aircraft or a body is discovered. For now, the case of Amelia Earhart remains a mystery.

This Post Has 80 Comments

Bianca-Rhae Jacquez

Everyone learns about Amelia Earhart at a young age but you were able to bring a different outlook at her story. She was extremely brave. She never allowed the word impossible stop her from reaching her dreams. It is shocking that even today there has been no traces of her found. It is a tragedy that she was never found.

Aracely Ortiz Soriano

I find it so interesting that despite the technology we have today, no traces of Amelia have been found. Amelia Earheart is truly an icon and her bravery is truly admirable. Despite her mission went incomplete, she left a legacy that will always be remembered. I hope someday this mystery can be solved.

Felicia Stewart

Amelia Earhart has always been of interest to me since I was younger, especially since she is a very big milestone in women’s independence and history. She was the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, and she then became an inspiration for many females after her. I think it is interesting how she pretty much just vanished and has not been found since. You would think that with as much technology that there is now they might be able to somehow find traces of where she could have last been. There are many conspiracies surrounding her and I am curious to see if anyone ever actually attempts to solve it.

Chelsea Alvarez

I’ve always loved unsolved mystery stories such as these. The disappearance of Amelia Earhart is tragic, since she was supposed to be the first female to circumnavigate the Earth. I have always wondered how history might have been changed had she not gone missing. There are many theories that could possible suggest what happened that day, but it is scary to think that Earhart and Noonan could have been captured by Japanese forces. Overall, this article was informative on the topic and the narrative provided by it made it all the more interesting to read.

Rosa Castillo

Amelia Earhart was a remarkable young woman and her disappearance was always be remembered as a tragedy. Ameilia withheld a legacy of refinement and bravery, she served as a role model for young progressive women everywhere. I have never had a concrete guess on what happened to her, however, I do think this is a mystery that will go unsolved after so many years.

Madison Guerra

Growing up i always heard different theories that could have caused Amelia Earhart’s disappearance. It is sad to know we will most likely never know exactly what happened to her. Like the author said she most likely crash landed in the ocean and sank to the bottom. It will always be a great mystery.

Belene Cuellar

It’s quite possible for her to crash in the ocean and die on impact of the plane. Amelia was truly an inspiration for everyone, she never let herself give up even when things got difficult. It is a shame that her life ended so abruptly and her friends and family never got to find out what actually happened to her.

Dylan Sanchez

Such a sad story. Amelia Earhart was a very brave person. It made me chuckle a bit at the fact that the mystery may not be solved due to a couple or coconut crabs. But she was a very special role model for women and pilots alike. Hopefully, as science evolves, we will find out what happened to this brave woman.

Yadira Chavez

Amelia Earhart is an idol to women across the world even after so many years. She stands for feminism, and shows that women are forces of nature. Of course, her story ends in tragedy, but I know that even though her mission went incomplete, her legacy will stand the test of time. I’ve seen videos going in depth about the conspiracy that she was captured by Japan, and it’s quite convincing. I wonder if it will ever be solved.